Selector switch



C. A. W. HULTMAN.

SELECTOR SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED DEC-23, 1918.

1,415,648. Patented May 9, 1922; 4 QSHEETSisHEETJ.

s a g C. A. W. HULTMAN.

SELECTOR SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED 050.23; 1918.

1,41 5, 48, Patented May 9, 1922.

" .2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

llllllllll Hwy.

I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL AXEL WILHELM HULTMAN, 01F STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN.

SELECTOR SWITCH.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, CARL Axnn VILHELM Henramn, subyectof the lung of Sweden,

residing at Stockholm, Sweden, have invent,

ed certain new and. useful Improvements in Selector Switches, (for which I have filed application in Sweden, D. No 4,100/1917, filed December 11, 1917,) of which the following is a specification.

The intention relates to automatic telephone exchange system i using machine driven switches of a great capacity. Systems of this-kind are known in which the switches have a capacity of several thousands of lines (see for instance British specification No. 13362/1 l). Such switches, however, have heretofore been used chiefly only as numerical selectors or connectors. The object of the present invention. is to construct a switch of a great capacity which can be used as a searcher, particularly as a call finder. In this case it is particularly required,that the switch should be capable of establishing connection with the calling line in a relatively short period. To this end, according to the chief feature of the, present invention, the movable contact arms of the switch. which are adapted to be set in two difference co-ordinate directions, have no normal position in. respect of one direction of movement, the contact arms on release of the switch being restored only in the other direction and stopped in a position opposite to the contact row just left, from which position said arms are started in the-first direction by the next call, Upon a, call plurality of call finders are started simultana ously and that one which is next to the con tacts of the calling line, establishes the con nection. l

Fig, 1 shows schematically the principal partsof the call finder and the appertaining circuits. Fig. 2 is a schematical view of the driving device of the call finder. Fig. 3 shows a detail of said device.

111m 1 the switch is shown as a call finder for establishing connections between the subscribers lines and the operatorsposition in semiautomatic exchanges or be tween the subscribers lines and the junctions in full automatic exchanges. As vshown in the drawing, the subscribers lines a, b are connected to bare wires 6 common to a number of call finders and extending perpendicularly to the plane of movement of the con rows of ten bundles, the call finder thus hav- Specification of Letters Patent. Patgnted "play 9, 1922 Application filed December 23, 1918. Serial. No, 268,068.

tact arms K and K The contact field contains in addition to the two branches a and Z) of the subscribers line also two wires 0 and Z which together with the wires a and 1) constitute a number of bundles divided in two main groups A and B, one of which is arranged above the contact arm K and the other below the contact arm K Each main group contains in this instance fifty vertical ing a capacity of 1000 lines. a a

Upon a call the contact arms first move forwards and backwards between the two main groups of wires, till they find the row of contacts containing" the calling line, and then upwards or downwards, till the contact arm in question makes contact with the wires of the calling line.

Figs; 2 and Sshow the operating nism of the contact arms. The contact wipers 7c are provided at the upper end of a contact carrier liB, which is guided between rollers R, on a carriage V, the latter being in turn guided in a horizontal direction on a beam VB by means of rollers R The contact carrier KB is carried by an end less rope L fastened to a laterally project ing arm Lit, T he rope is carried round to rope pulleys Ltd, and LS arranged on stationary shafts, and over 3 pulleys LS LS, and LS, mounted on the carriage, the two latter pulleys being loosely mounted on the same sh These two pulleys have actually the same diameter but are shown unequal in mechathe drawing in order that the arrangement 9 of the rope shall appear The rope runs from the pulley LS, over the pulley LS and VB remains inactive, the shaft DA- rotates 195 to the left the carriage Vbeing then'also moved to the left as the rope in this case is locked to the carriageby the magnet :VR and the 'contactcarrier. In a similar way thecarriage is caused to move to the right, 110

The 10 if the clutch M11 is energized, while the magnet VF. remains unoperated. Ti, on the other hand, the magnet last mentioned is energized simultaneously with the clutch NIH, or lVlK respectively the swingably mounted magnet VB is attracted to the beam VB, the carriage being then locked and the contact carrier released. The latter will therefore be moved upwards, if the clutch MK is operated, or downwards, it the clutch MK is operated.

Provided on the carriage are a number of. contact wipers KF KF F l, which during the movement of the carriage malts contact with a corresponding number of sta tionary contact bars Ka l -KS and three contact bars KS Ko and KS, co-operating with three contact wipers EF 1. F and KR, respectively provided on the contact carrier K Mounted on the c rriage are "further two test wipers KF and lii serving to test the different rows of contacts, when the call finder is moved in a horizontal direction, said wipers then making contact with the test wires 7". The movements of the call tinder are controlled by a sequence switch SO. the contacts of which are designated S d The figures shown close to the contacts indicate those positions oi the sequence swuch in which the corresponding contacts are closed. This sequence switch may be of any suitable construction similar to that described in the British patent to McBcrty 20,839 of 1909.

The call finder operates follows. hen the calling subscriber removes his receiver a circuit 1 is closed through both line b ranches a, Z) and through the line relay LR. The latter closes the circuit 2 throunjl'i a start inn relay SR (or SR it the subscribefls line is connected to the lower group 13) common to ten subscribers. The relay Sli causes, by closing a circuit 5, the operation of a number ot' relays l ll il ll, which completes starting circuits i; tor a number (It call finders (in the example shown at most call finders), which are started sinuiltancously. The circuits 3 and 4t contain relays 0 R- and O R respectively which, in case all call finders should be engaged. close a circuit 5 for a supervisory lamp 0128. The starting circuit 4!; contains the clutch magnet MK, and all call finders w ill therefore be moved to the left. The first call finder finding the vertical row of contacts to which the callinp; line is ci'inuected. closes a ci lit 6 through one winding ot the appcrtaiiiinc test relay l ly R 11 and the test wiper K1 The test relay energizes and connects its other winding into a locking: circuit 7 COIlttllllDjl three cutoff relays [ll-1,, connected in series, which are common to a group o't t'eii call finders having a common impulses register. The circuits 6 for these ten call finders will therefore be opened and. conseueen no tli'urthler connection can be estab' whereby the magnet MK, is cut in.

lished in this group of call finders as long as the common impulses register is engaged. i-it the same time the circuit (3 is directly connected with earth over the contacts 8 and 9 o; the relay Tag R the group test wires 7 being thus marked as engaged to the other call finders.

It the call finder does not lind the vertical row in question during its movement to the left, the movement is automatically reversed, when the carriage reaches its outer leit't position. the contact wiper Kl then closing a circuit 10 through a shitting relay HR the re la v HR is then locked over contact '1 l and will therefore remain current carrying. till the relay Fli deenergizcs, or till the contact 12 is opened in the opposite end position of the carriage when the moyement is again reversed.

When relay Ii ll, energizes, the circuit .4- is opened and the horizontal n'iovenient oi the call inders therefore ceases. l urther, the relay FR included in said circuit, doe-eno 'zes and closes the circuit 13 extending )art-ly through a brain? magnet MB and partly through the sequence switch f-l( which is then moved into its second position in which said circuit 123 is opened. in its second posit-ion tl sequence switch closes the circuit lei: tor three relays Flt connected in series. which disconnect the inagnctical clutches :tor the said ten call finder s, which are then stopped. At the same time a circuit tor the magnet VB and the circuit 16 tor the clutch magnet MK, are closed. where by the call tinder is started upwards l'l hcn the c l tinder linds the line of the calling subscriber. a circuit 17 is closed through one winding of the test relay Try B which energizes and closes a locking circuit '1 s through the other winding and a circuit 19 through the cut-off relay ii ll of the subscriber. The subscriber is ma l as engaged by the c-wire being; connected to earth. The relay l disci'ninects the line relay iii-ll which in turn opens the circuit for the relay Elli all call finders. which are still moving. being then stopped. Vheh the test relay l ly l?? eergizes, also a circuit 20 is closed partly through the brake magnet hi and partly through the sequence switch S0... the latter being: then moved into its fourth position, passing the third position. in the fourth position the contact i, s opened. whereby the test wire 7'' no longer marked. as engaged and another calling subscriber in the same vertical row may thercl oi'e be searclmd for by another call tinder. At the same time the line branches (6. b are connected through the contacts S S to a junction lea dinpf tor instance to an operators position. from. which the connection is completed in known manner. The sequence switch is then successively moved into its fifth sixth,

and seventh positions by impulses over the contacts 8,, S and S in a manner which need not be further explained in this connection. In the seventh position the connection is completed, the contacts S and S being then'opened and, consequently, the relays UR, and UR deenergize, whereby all disengaged call finders of the group of ten call finders in question are released, so that they may be used for another call. a

After the end of the conversation the sequence switch is moved into'its ninth position by impulses over the contacts S and S The circuit of the test relay LyR is then opened and owing thereto also the circuit 19 is opened. At the same time the circuit; 15 is closed through the magnet VR and the circuit 21 is closed through the shifting relay HR and, further, the circuit 22 is completed through a clutch magnet MK whereby the call finder is started downwards. When the contact carrier reaches its normal position between the i main groups A and B, the connection between the contact wipers KF and the contact bar KS is broken, whereby the call finder is stopped. If the call finder had been set in the lower group B, the circuit 21 for the relay HR had not been closed, when" the call finder is restored as the contact bar KS only extends over the upper half of the vertical path of the movement and, consequently, the clutch magnet MK should be energized instead of MK and thus the call finder would be started upwards. After the sequence switch has been restored to its initial position, the call finder may be used again for another call.

If the calling subscriber replaces his receiver, before any-call finder has reached the vertical row in question, the call finders will be stopped at once.

If, on the other hand, a call finder has reached the vertical row in question or already has moved for a distance into this row, it will continue upwards (or downwards), until it reaches a wire 9 in its uppermost (or lowermost) position, which is connected to the battery and makes contact with the contact wiper K when the relay La /R is operated in the same way as already described causing the call finder to be restored.

Having now described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is 1. In a selector switch having hunting movements in two different co-ordinate directions, means for starting the contact arms from a variable initial position in the first co-ordinate direction upon a call being initiated, means for setting the contact arms 1 in the first co-ordinate direction for the se lection of a contact row, and means for set" ting the contact arms in the second coordinate direction for the selection of a particular contact. i

2. Ina selector switch having hunting movements in two different co-ordinate directions, means for setting the contact arms in the first co-ordinate direction for the selection of a contact row, means for setting the contact arms in the second coordinate direction for the selection of a particular contact, means for restoring the contact arms, vmeans for automatically stopping the return movement of the contact arms upon the latter reaching a position opposite to the contact row just left, and means for starting the contact arms from said position in the first co-ordinate direction upon a call being initiated.

3. Ina selector switch having hunting movements in two different, co-ordinate directions, means for starting the contact arms from a variable initial position in the direction for the selection of a particular contact. v

4. In a selector switch having hunting movements in two difference co-ordinate directions, means for starting the contact arms from a variable initial position in the first co-ordinate direction for the selection of a contact row, a reversing device for automatically controlling the movement of the switch to one or the other side in said coordinate direction, means for setting the contact arms in the second co-ordinate direction for the selection of a particular contact, means for restoring the contact arms. and means for automatically stopping the return movement of the contact arms upon the contact arms reaching a position opposite tothe contact row just left.

5. Ina selector switchv having hunting movements in two different coordinate di rections, means for setting the contact arms in the first co-ordinate direction for the selection ofa contact row, a reversing device for automatically controlling the movement of the switch to one orthe other side in said co-ordinate direction, means for setting the contact arms in the second coordinate direction for the selection of particular'contacts, means for restoring the contact arms, and means for automatically stopping-the return movement of the contact arms upon the contact, arms reaching a positionopposite to the contact row 'just left. a

6. In a selector switch having hunting movements in two different co-ordinate directions, means for setting the contact arms in the first coordinate direction for the se lection of a contact row, a reversing device for automatically controlling the movement of the switch to one or the other side in said co-oi'dinate direction, means for operating the reversing device to reverse the movement upon the contact arms reaching their end position in the said coordinate direction, means for setting the contact arms in the second co-ordinate direction for the selection of a separate contact, means for restoring the contact arms, and means for automatically stopping the return movement of the contact arms upon the contact arms reaching a position opposite to the contact row just left.

7. In a selector switch having hunting movements in two different co-ordinate directions, means for starting the contact arms from a variable initial position in the first co-ordinate direction for the selection of a contact row, a reversing device for automatically controlling the movement of the switch to one or the other side in said co-ordinate direction, means for operating the reversing device to reverse the movement in both end positions of the contact arms, and means for setting the contact arms in the second co-ordinate direction for the selection of a separate contact.

8. Ina selector switch having hunting movements in two different co-ordinate directions, a movable switch member carrying contact arms, fixed line contacts arranged in two main groups provided one on each side of said switch member, means for starting the contact arms from a variable initial position in the first co-ordinate direction for the selection of a row of contacts, and means for starting the contact arms to either side in the second co-ordinate direction for the selection of a particular line contact in one or the other of said main groups.

9. In a selector switch having hunting movements 1n two different co-ordinate directions, a movable switch member carrying contact arms, fixed line contacts arranged in two main groups provided one on each side of said switch member, means "for setting the contact arms in the first co ordinate direction for the selection of a con tact row, a reversing device for automatically controlling the movement of the switch to one or the other side in said co-ordinate direction, means for setting the contact arms to one or the other side in the second coordinate direction for the selection of a particular line contact, means for restoring the contact arms, and means for automatically stopping the return movement of the contact arn upon the contact arms reaching a position opposite to the contact row just left.

10. In a selector switch having hunting movements in two diitercnt co-ordinatc directions, a movable switch member carrying contact arms, fixed line contacts con sisting of bare wires extending perpendicnlarlv to the plane of movement of the contact arms and arranged in two main groups provided one on each side of said switch member, means for setting the contact arms in the first co-ordinate direction for the selection of a contact row, a reversing de vice for automatically controlling the more inent oi? the switch to one or the other side in. co-ordinate direction, means tor operating the reversing device to reverse the movement in either end position of the contact arms, means for setting the contact arms to one or the other side in the second coordinate direction for the selection of a particular line contact, means for restoring the contact arms, and means tor automatically stopping the return movement of the contact arms upon the contact arms reaching a position opposite to the contact row just left. i

11. In a selector switch having hunting movements in two co-ordinate directions, fixed line contacts arranged in rows. means tor starting the contact arms from a variable initial position in the first co-ordinate direction for the selection of a contact row. means for setting thecontact arms in the second co-ordinate direction for the selection of a particular contact, and means for maria ing a contact row as engaged as soon as the switch has found the contact row to which the calling line is connected, and

means for marking said contact row as disengaged as soon as the switch has found the contact of the calling line.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARL AXEL WILHELM HULTMAN.

Witnesses JACOB Bacon, CI-rARLns I-I. LArnLY. 

